Extra crash barriers costing £290,000 are to be built at a notorious accident blackspot.

Work on the A24 Horsham Road will start next Monday.

Barriers will be fitted along the dual carriageway from the A280 Findon roundabout to Glaseby Lane, which is approximately a mile south of the Washington roundabout.

There have been a number of fatal accidents on the stretch as there are no barriers to stop out-of-control cars swerving into the path of oncoming traffic.

Motorists have been warned there will be delays during the estimated 12 weeks of work and have been advised to allow an extra ten minutes for their journeys.

The barrier installation will involve the loss of trees and hedges in the central reservation but West Sussex County Council has offered to fund tree planting schemes elsewhere in both Findon and Washington.

Tex Pemberton, West Sussex highways and transport executive, said: "We never like to see mature trees coming down but in this case it is unavoidable. There is widespread support for crash barriers at this location and they will help save lives.

"Part of the problem in this area has been from vehicles colliding with trees on the central reservation."